Indonesia’s National Halal Fair is an annual event intended as a forum for actualization, literacy, as well as integration of various activities in the sharia economic and financial sector in the country.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Muslim LifeFair, or also known as MLF or Mufair 2024, was officially opened at Hall B3 of the Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO) Kemayoran area, Central Jakarta, here on Friday.

Under the main theme 'Muslim Family Party', this year's Muslim Lifefair is the kick off of a series of Indonesia’s National Halal Fair 2024 events, which is a major event by the National Committee for Sharia Finance and Economics (KNEKS) which is held simultaneously in 12 provinces during the month of Ramadhan 1445 Hijri.

In his speech, the national committee’s Acting Executive Director, Executive Management, Dr. Taufik Hidayat, said Muslim LifeFair, which is the kick off of the 2024 National Halal Fair, is expected to further increase the escalation of business growth of the halal MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) sector and expand collaboration to revive people’s economy during the holy month of Ramadan.

"Muslim LifeFair in the 2024 National Halal Fair series is a strategic means to improve the image, marketing and visibility of halal products so that public literacy regarding the implementation of sharia economics also increases," he said.

The National Halal Fair is an annual event intended as a forum for actualization, literacy, as well as integration of various activities in the sharia economic and financial sector in Indonesia.

The series of halal events regularly held by KNEKS and consistently Muslim LifeFair since 2022 also aim to increase the sharia economic and financial literacy index.

A survey by Bank Indonesia in 2022 shows that the national sharia economic and financial literacy index has only reached 23.3 percent. This figure has increased compared to that in 2019 at 16.3 percent.

However, as the largest Muslim population country in the world, Indonesia’s index figure has not been ideal. This number is still far from the target by Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin at 50 percent.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia Halal Market Report (IMHR) 2021/2022 noted that Indonesia has great potential to add 5.1 billion U.S. dollars to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the halal industrial sector.

With the huge number of halal products in the country, Bank Indonesia promotes the strengthening of sharia economic and financial foundations with four main programs, one of which is strengthening the sharia industry through leading sectors such as halal food and drinks, as well as Muslim fashion.

The presence of the Muslim LifeFair 2024, which is part of the National Halal Fair, plays a very important role in supporting the development of the sharia economy and halal industry in the country. Moreover, Bank Indonesia predicts that Indonesia's sharia economic growth will reach 4.7 percent-5.5 percent, in line with Indonesia's economic growth which is also projected to grow in the same range.

Family program

Lima Events as the organizer of Muslim LifeFair presents special and newest programs that are packaged creatively to further stimulate the enthusiasm of Muslim families in optimizing the month of Ramadan as a moment to increase spirituality in educating Muslim generation, and increase social awareness.

In order to give birth to a generation of Islamic families who live their lives according to the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), 'Muslim Family Party' of Muslim LifeFair 2024 presents a series of inspiring events about family, parenting, and Islamic businesses.

A number of speakers consisting of psychologists, academics, Muslim women entrepreneurs, public figures and religious figures are ready to share knowledge and experience in parenting classes, talk shows and sharing sessions.

As a family event, Mufair 2024 is also child-friendly because it provides a number of entertaining and educational rides such as a playground which presents a number of experimental and storytelling classes.

Chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Entrepreneurs Community (KPMI), Rachmat Sutarnas Marpaung, was optimistic that at least 30,000 visitors would pack the exhibition area which will last for three days.

Ramadan

Welcoming the holy month of Ramadan, Mufair 2024 is holding a Ramadan Bazaar with discounts of up to 75 percent and redemptions, covering a number of products ranging from clothing and accessories, Islamic education, halal travel & Umrah, herbs, cosmetics, books and publications, to halal and healthy culinary.

Attractive offers are also offered, one of which is a flash sale for various family needs.

“When the fasting month arrives, prices of necessities usually increase. Through the Ramadan Cheap Bazaar, we hope that Muslim LifeFair could help family visitors meet their needs during the month of Ramadan while improving their parenting knowledge," said Lima Event general manager Ilham Pradipta.

The 2024 National Halal Fair

The National Halal Fair is a series of halal events regularly organized by the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS) together with the Regional Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KDEKS).

The event is a national campaign in order to support sharia economic and financial development in the local levels, especially in the halal MSMEs sector, support MSMEs in product marketing, as well as help people meet their needs during the month of Ramadan.

The National Halal Fair is a means to synergize locals’ Ramadan agendas to support sharia economic literacy.

Throughout 2024 the National Halal Fair will be held simultaneously in 12 provinces of Indonesia, namely: Muslim Life Fest (soft opening) in Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta; Ramadhan Festival 1445 Hijriah in Central Kalimantan province; Ramadhan Mujahidin Market in West Kalimantan province; Sharia Bazaar in East Kalimantan province; Riau Halal Fair in Riau province; KURMA in the Riau Islands province; South Kalimantan Halal Fair in South Kalimantan province; Ramadhan Bazaar in Gorontalo province; Central Java Halal Vaganza in Central Java province; SERAMBI (Jambi Sharia Economic Sector) in Jambi province; Aceh Ramadhan Festival in Aceh province; and Ramadhan KALTARA Fair 2024 in North Kalimantan province.

Reporting by Indonesia Window